INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SUICIDE PREVENTION CONSTITUTION

Transcription

1 INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SUICIDE PREVENTION CONSTITUTION ARTICLE 1: NAME AND HEADQUARTERS OF THE ASSOCIATION The Association is named the "International Association for Suicide Prevention and Crisis Intervention" abbreviated as IASP. The activities of the Association encompass all countries, which are represented as individual or organizational members of the Association. IASP headquarters are located at the registered office designated by the Executive Committee. ARTICLE 2: PURPOSES OF THE ASSOCIATION Section 1: The Association is established to prevent suicidal behaviour, to alleviate its effects, and to provide a forum for academicians, mental health professionals, crisis workers, volunteers, and suicide survivors. The association is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purpose 1 To these ends, the Association will: (d) (e) bring together the available knowledge and expertise for effective action to address the issues of suicidal behaviour worldwide and to improve the validity of the information being assembled; monitor the progress of suicide prevention activities on a global scale; encourage the collection of valid up-to-date national data on issues of suicidal behaviour; create opportunities for bringing people together to exchange knowledge and experiences; make available expertise for the development of guidelines for suicide prevention programs; 1 (amendment ).

2 (f) (g) (h) improve the supply of appropriate information to governments, relevant international and national organizations, groups and the general public on issues of suicidal behaviour; raise the awareness of governments, relevant international and national organizations and groups, and to the general public about issues of suicidal behaviour; and encourage policy makers and opinion leaders to assess the impact of their activities on the problem of suicidal behaviour. (i) make distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt under section 501 (3) of the internal revenue code of the United States of America or corresponding section of any future United States of America federal tax code. 2 Section 2: (d) (e) (f) (g) The activities of the Association will include but not be limited to: cause to be written, and printed or otherwise reproduced and circulated, gratuitously or otherwise, periodicals, magazines, books, leaflets or other documents or films or recorded tapes; and to form and maintain a library of literature and other material in connection with the Association s objects; hold exhibitions, meetings, lectures, classes, seminars and courses either alone or with others; foster and encourage research into any aspect of the objects of the Association and its work and to disseminate the useful results of any such research; co-operate and enter into arrangements with any authorities, national, local or otherwise; accept subscriptions, donations, devises and bequests of and to purchase, take on lease or in exchange, hire or otherwise acquire and hold any real or personal estate maintain and alter any of the same as are necessary for any of the objects of the Association and (subject to such consents as may be required by law) sell, lease or otherwise dispose of or mortgage any such real or personal estate; issue appeals, hold public meetings and take such other steps as may be required for the purpose of procuring contributions to the funds of the Association in the shape of donations, subscriptions or otherwise; draw, make, accept, endorse, discount, execute and issue promissory notes, bills, checks and other instruments, and to operate bank accounts; 2 (amendment ).

3 (h) (i) (j) (k) (l) (m) (n) take and accept any gift of money, property or other assets, whether subject to any special trust or not, for any one or more of the objects of the Association; invest the moneys of the Association not immediately required for its objects in or upon such investments, securities or property as may be thought fit, subject nevertheless to such conditions (if any) and such consents (if any) as may for the time being be imposed or required by law and subject also as hereinafter provided; make any charitable donation either in case or assets for the furtherance of the objects of the Association; establish, become a member of or support any charitable association, corporation or body having objects of a similar nature to those of the Association and to affiliate, or otherwise associate with the Association any such association, corporation or body and to subscribe or guarantee money for charitable purposes calculated to further the objects of the Association; employ and pay any person or persons to supervise, organize, carry on the work of and advise the Association; pay out of the funds of the Association the costs, charges and expenses of and incidental to the formation and registration of the Association; pay out of the funds of the association the cost of any premium in respect of any insurance or indemnity to cover the liability of the Executive Committee members or any of them in respect of any negligence default breach of duty or breach of trust provided that any such insurance or indemnity shall not extend to any claim arising from any act or omission which the trustees knew to be a breach of trust or which was committed by the trustee in reckless disregard of whether it was a breach of trust or not; and to do all such other lawful things as shall further the above objects or any of them. ARTICLE 3: MEMBERSHIP IN THE ASSOCIATION 3 Section 1: Candidates for IASP membership must apply to IASP s Central Administration Office, where membership will be processed. The Executive Committee has the right to deny, or revoke membership. The candidate concerned has a right to be heard before a final decision is made. Appeal against this decision is not possible. 3 (amendment )

4 Section 2: Classes of IASP membership are as follows: Regular membership for individuals who are regularly engaged in suicide studies, clinical management of suicidal patients, and/or suicide prevention activities, and/or support groups and those who are interested in furthering the work of the Association. Admission is open to all who pay membership dues annually in full but the Executive Committee holds the right to reject a membership application for good and sufficient reasons. Regular membership is valid for the period the member has paid in full. Any member who has not kept up with their membership dues will remain on the membership log for a minimum period of two years. During this time they will not be entitled to vote or receive the CRISIS journal. After two years of nonpayment a member will be removed by IASP from the membership. Should a previous member wish to rejoin IASP they may do so with no prejudice and on paying their full membership fee their name will be returned to the membership. Regular membership is classed as ordinary membership. Organizational membership is for national or international voluntary or other non-profit organizations (incorporated or unincorporated) working in the field of suicide studies, clinical management of suicidal patients, and/or suicide prevention activities under the terms of their governing document, and help and support groups for those affected by suicide. Admission is open to all who pay membership dues annually in full but the Executive Committee hold the right to reject a membership application for good and sufficient reasons. Organizational membership is valid for the period the member has paid in full. Any organization who has not kept up with their membership dues will remain on the membership log for a minimum period of two years. During this time they will not be entitled to vote or receive the CRISIS journal. After two consecutive years of non-payment an organization can be removed by IASP from the membership. Should a previous organization wish to rejoin IASP they may do so with no prejudice and on paying their full membership fee their name will be returned to the membership. Organizational membership is classed as ordinary membership. Student and Volunteer membership is for full time students and volunteers who are regularly engaged in suicide studies, clinical management of suicidal patients, and/or suicide prevention activities, and/or support groups and those who are interested in furthering the work of the Association. Admission is for all students and volunteers who pay a predetermined reduced membership fee and evidence of student/voluntary status from the relevant authority, is required on application, and is the applicant s duty to provide. The Executive

5 Committee holds the right to reject a membership application for good and sufficient reasons. Student and Volunteer membership is valid for the period the member has paid their membership fee. Any student or volunteer member who has not kept up with their membership dues will remain on the membership log for a minimum period of two years. During this time they will not be entitled to vote or receive the CRISIS journal. After two consecutive years of non-payment a student or volunteer member can be removed by IASP from the membership. Should a previous student of volunteer member wish to rejoin IASP they may do so with no prejudice and on paying their membership fee their name will be returned to the membership log. Student and Volunteer membership is classed as ordinary membership. (d) (e) Section 3: Associate membership is for individuals and organizations who are interested in working toward the goals of the Association, but who are not qualified or able to pay for full ordinary membership. Admission is determined by a majority vote of the Executive Committee. Associate membership is given for a three year period after which the Associate member may apply for full membership or again for associate membership, which would need to be re-determined by the Executive Committee. Associate members have no voting rights and cannot stand for election. An associate member does not receive the journal CRISIS but may have the annual CRISIS subscription sponsored for them at a predetermined fee. Honorary membership is a special honor for select senior members of the Association, suggested by written proposal, and elected for by a majority vote of the Executive Committee. The proposal of a person for honorary membership can be made by any ordinary member. Honorary members do not pay a membership fee but retain full voting rights and are entitled to the CRISIS journal. Honorary membership is a lifetime membership. Expulsion or suspension of an individual, associate, or organizational member must be by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Committee. The decision of the Executive Committee may be appealed to the General Assembly by the expelled or suspended member within 60 days of notification. The General Assembly will call an extraordinary General Assembly to judge any appeal. Reversal by the General Assembly of the decision of the Executive Committee to suspend or expel a member requires a two-thirds vote. The general membership will be promptly notified of the expulsion or suspension of a member.

6 ARTICLE 4: Section 1: Section 2: Section 3: DUTIES AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF MEMBERS The activities of the Association shall be supported by membership dues, voluntary contributions, and net earnings of events, such as congresses. Thus all ordinary members of the IASP, have a duty to the organization to pay their annual dues regularly until such time as they choose to leave the organization or are removed in accordance with Article 3. Members must pay their yearly dues assessment in a timely manner. The Executive Committee can, on special application, reduce or waive the membership dues for a specific member for a specified period of time. The annual dues for ordinary members and fees for sponsoring associate members will be recommended by the Executive Committee subject to ratification by the General Assembly. No member shall be entitled to vote at any meeting of the General Assembly, Council of National Representatives, Executive Committee, or any other meeting of the Association unless all moneys presently payable by him/her to the Association have been paid in full. Any member who does not pay dues annually will automatically lose their voting rights and CRISIS journal subscription. Members who have not paid their dues for two consecutive years will be removed from IASP membership. Membership is also cancelled by the death of individual members and the termination of the legal status of organizational members. ARTICLE 5: Section 1: GOVERNMENT OF THE ASSOCIATION The government of the Association is made up of: the General Assembly; the Executive Committee; the Council of National Representatives. ARTICLE 6: GENERAL ASSEMBLY 4 Section 1: The General Assembly shall consist of all the ordinary and honorary members. Associate members are invited to attend the General Assembly; however, they have no vote in this forum. The General Assembly shall be considered in session when half of the eligible ordinary and honorary members are present. If this number is not 4 (amendment )

7 present within 15 minutes after the time designated for the opening of the General Assembly, a vote of two-thirds of those present can declare the assembly to constitute a quorum (a reduced quorum), however there must be a minimum of 50 members for a reduced quorum to be constituted. Proxy votes will count towards a quorum and postal voters will only count towards a quorum with regards to proposed resolutions published in the General Assembly Notice distributed at least six weeks prior to the General Assembly. Section 2: Section 3: Section 4: The General Assembly convenes once every two years, during the course of the biennial congresses. The interval between the General Assemblies can be varied by decision of a simple majority of the ordinary and honorary members. Notice of every General Assembly meeting shall be sent to every member, six weeks prior to the General Assembly, except to those members who have not supplied to the Association an address for the giving of notices to them. Notices will also be posted to the Association s website. Upon a motion by more than one-third of the ordinary and honorary members, or by two-thirds of the Executive Committee, an extraordinary session of the General Assembly may be called. An extraordinary session will be held at the international meeting at the biennial congress or by postal vote. The quorum of an extraordinary session shall be half of the eligible voting members. For a motion to be passed half of the eligible voting members must vote in its favour. An extraordinary session held by postal means will only be held in the format of a written resolution or resolutions, as there will be limited opportunity for debate. An extraordinary session held by postal means will be run through the Central Administration Office who will provide six weeks notice and information to all members on the resolutions set forth. A resolution in writing signed by a majority of members (or in the case of a member that is an organisation, by its authorised representative) who would have been entitled to vote upon it had it been proposed at a general meeting shall be effective. It may comprise several copies each signed by or on behalf of one or more members.

8 The results of a formal written poll/resolutions, initiated by the extraordinary session, among the ordinary and honorary members, are to be considered equivalent to a decision of the General Assembly. Section 5: (d) (e) (f) Section 6: The duties and order of business for the General Assembly are as follows: to approve the minutes of the last General Assembly, as well as the reports of the President, the executive committee members, and of any committees or task forces established. The report of committees and task forces will be presented to the General Assembly by the Executive Committee, unless the Executive Committee chooses to delegate such a presentation to other persons; to establish the annual dues assessment for the different categories of membership; to consider the motions of the Executive Committee and those motions which have been submitted by members to the Central Administration Office at least 90 days in advance; to consider any protest against suspension or expulsion; to revise the Constitution, for which the vote of a two-thirds majority is required (a reduced quorum (see Article 1) is not acceptable for Constitutional changes); the dissolution of the Association if necessary. The President shall preside over General Assembly meetings. The President shall chair every General Assembly of the Association, or if he/she shall not be present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for the holding of the meeting or is unwilling to act, the members of the Executive Committee present shall elect one of their number to chair the meeting. If at any meeting no Executive Committee member is willing to act as chair or if no Executive Committee member is present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, the members present shall choose one of their number to chair the meeting. The Chair may, with the consent of any General Assembly at which a quorum is present (and shall if so directed by the meeting), adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place, but no other business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment took place. When a meeting is adjourned for fourteen days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be

9 given as in the case of an original meeting. Otherwise it shall not be necessary to give any notice of an adjournment or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting. Section 7: (d) Voting procedures at General Assembly meetings. Unless otherwise prescribed in special regulations of the Constitution, all elections and decisions are determined by a simple majority. In every section in this article a postal vote includes electronic ballots. In every section in this article a written ballot includes electronic ballots. At any General Assembly a resolution put to the vote of the meeting shall be decided on a show of hands and a tally of postal votes, unless a written ballot is demanded (before or on, but not after, the declaration of the result of the show of hands): (i) (ii) by the chair; or by at least one-third of the voting members present at the General Assembly. (e) (f) (g) (h) If a resolution concerns an individual member it shall always be decided by written ballot. Unless a written ballot is so demanded, a declaration, by the chair, that a resolution has, by a show of hands and a tally of postal votes, been carried, carried unanimously, or lost, shall be final, valid and binding and an entry to that effect in the minutes of proceedings of the Association shall be conclusive evidence of the fact, without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favor of or against such resolution. The demand for a written ballot may be withdrawn before the ballots are counted, but only with the consent of the chair. If the demand for a written ballot is withdrawn after a show of hands but before ballots are counted, the result declared concerning the show of hands and the tally of postal votes, will be considered valid and binding. A written ballot demanded on the election of a chair, or on a question of adjournment, shall be taken immediately. A written ballot demanded on any other question shall be taken at such time and in such a manner as the chair of the meeting directs, but in accordance with Article 6, Section 7(n) below, and not being more than sixty days after the written ballot is demanded. Any business other than that upon which a

10 written ballot has been demanded may proceed pending the tallying of the written ballot. The result of the written ballot shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting at which the written ballot was demanded. (i) (j) (k) (l) (m) (n) Notice is to be given of a written ballot not taken immediately at the General Assembly, to allow voting members not present at the meeting a chance to vote. At least 21 clear days notice shall be given specifying the time and place at which the written ballot is to be taken. Votes shall be given personally, by postal vote or by proxy, whether on a show of hands or on a written ballot. Each member is entitled to one vote for him/herself and one additional vote for each verified instrument of proxy held. Where a written ballot is called immediately, postal votes are to be counted if they relate directly to the resolution in question. Voting members who choose a postal vote rather than to vote by proxy acknowledge that there may be matters that arise under a immediate written ballot to which they will be unable to vote. This instrument appointing a proxy shall be deemed to confer authority to demand or join in demanding a written ballot and to the immediate written ballot itself. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the appointing member. A proxy must be an individual qualified to vote in his/her own stead as a ordinary or honorary member. The instrument appointing a proxy shall: (i) be deposited with the Central Administration Office not less than 7 days prior to the time for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the person named in the instrument proposes to vote; or (ii) be deposited with the General secretary in person, not less than twelve hours prior to the time for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the person named in the instrument proposes to vote. In default, of the above timings the instrument of proxy shall not be treated as valid. (o) An instrument appointing a proxy shall be in the following form or a form as near thereto as circumstances admit.

11 To the International Association for Suicide Prevention I (insert name in clear print) of (insert home city and nationality), being a member of the above named Association, hereby appoint (insert name, home city, and nationality of first choice for proxy) or failing him/her (insert name, home city, and nationality of second choice for proxy) as my proxy to vote for me on my behalf at the General Assembly meeting to be held on (insert the indicated day and date) and at any adjournment thereof. Signed this (insert date of signature, then add personal signature). (p) (q) (r) No objection shall be raised to the qualification of any voter except at the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the vote objected to is tendered, and every vote not disallowed at the meeting shall be valid. Any objection made in due time shall be referred to the chair whose decision shall be final and conclusive. A resolution in writing signed by a majority of all the members entitled to receive notice of and to attend and vote at General Assembly meetings shall be as valid and effective as if it had been passed at a general meeting of the Association duly convened and held. Any such resolution in writing may consist of two or more documents in like form each signed by one or more members. Unless an extraordinary general meeting can be called at an interim conference where the quorum requirements will be met an extraordinary general meeting will be held by postal means through the Central Administration Office. ARTICLE 7: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 5 Section 1: The Executive Committee shall be composed of the President, the General Secretary, the Treasurer and the three Vice-Presidents. The chairpersons of the Council of National Representatives and representative of the College of Presidents, shall also sit on the Executive Committee but only as ex-officio members and shall hold no voting rights. Section 2: The President, General Secretary, Treasurer, and three Vice-Presidents are elected by the members, in secret mail ballot. 5 (amendment )

12 The term of the roles of President, General Secretary, Treasurer, Vice- Presidents will be two years and every two years these positions shall be voted on by the members. The General Secretary, Treasurer, and three Vice-Presidents shall be eligible for re-election for two further terms of two years but none may serve on the Executive Committee for more than six uninterrupted years and none may hold the same position for more than four years. On the expiration of three consecutive two-year terms, four years must elapse before the retiring General Secretary, Treasurer, and three Vice-Presidents shall again be eligible for election. The President is also subject to same the terms of office as the General Secretary, Treasurer and three Vice-Presidents in this section save that a President on completion of six uninterrupted years on the Executive Committee may stand for re-election as President, for a further two year term allowing a full four uninterrupted years in the position of President. The maximum number of years that may be served by any members of the executive committee shall be twelve years. The time restrictions for service on the Executive Committee do not apply to the Chairs of the Council of National Representatives or the Representative of the College of Presidents, who are under separate restrictions accorded to their position. Section 3: Section 4: Section 5: The terms of office for the President, General Secretary, Treasurer, and three Vice-Presidents, as well as Chairpersons of the Council of National Representatives and the Representative of the College of Presidents will extend from one General Assembly to the next. The President or, in his/her absence, one of his/her delegates designated in writing, will represent the Association formally in dealing with authorities and third parties; will execute the decisions of the General Assembly, the Council of National Representatives, and the Executive Committee; will call the Executive Committee into session; and will preside in assemblies and meetings of the Association. The duties of the General Secretary shall include: Discharge all duties assigned to him/her by the General Assembly, the Council of National Representatives and the Executive Committee. Regular presentation of administrative reports to the Executive Committee and to the members.

13 Section 6: Section 7: Maintain the archives of the Association. The Treasurer shall prepare financial reports for the Executive Committee and the General Assembly. In case of a vacancy in the office the President, the Executive Committee shall immediately hold a meeting to elect an Acting President who shall serve for the remainder of the unfilled term. In case of a vacancy in the office of other executive committee members the following procedures will apply. If a vacancy occurs in the last six months of a committee member s tenure, no action will be taken allowing replacements to be determined in the next upcoming board election. If a vacancy occurs in the first eighteen months of one or two committee member s term of office, the executive committee, in consultation with the election committee, will identify and appoint suitable replacements to serve the remainder of the vacated terms of office. If vacancies occur in three or more executive committee positions at any time during a board term of office, an election will be held to allow membership to elect suitable replacements. In this situation, the Executive Committee shall immediately hold an election by sending ballots to the regular and honorary members, in accordance with voting regulations as set forth in this constitution. In the case of a vacancy of one or two of the Vice-Presidents during a board term of office, the remaining Vice-President/s will ascend in order and appointed replacement/s will serve the remainder of the term of the position they were appointed to and serve as the 3 rd or 2 nd Vice-President 6. Section 8: Section 9: The General Assembly may by ordinary resolution remove the President or any executive committee member before the expiration of his/her term of office. The General Assembly may by ordinary resolution appoint another person in place of an executive committee member removed by the General Assembly. The office of an Executive Committee member, including ex-officio members, shall be vacated if the member: has been incapable by reason of somatic or mental disorder, illness, or injury of managing and administering his/her property and affairs for a period exceeding six months; 6 (amendment )

14 (d) Section 10: (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) resigns his/her office by written notice to the Association; is absent without the permission of the remainder of the Executive Committee from all their meetings held within a period of twelve months and the remainder of the Executive Committee resolves that the office should be declared vacated; or is removed for good and sufficient reason by a unanimous decision of all the remainder of the Executive Committee, provided that the member concerned shall have the right to be heard by the Executive Committee before a final decision is made. The duties of the Executive Committee are as follows: representation of the IASP and conduct of that portion of the business of the Association that does not fall within the jurisdiction of the General Assembly, or the Council of National Representatives calling the General Assembly and the Council of National Representatives, into regular session, and preparation of the agenda for the General Assembly; appointment of scientific, technical, and administrative bodies. These bodies do not have rights of decision but rather are to present conclusions and recommendations to the Executive Committee. The Council of National Representatives may also appoint their own separate bodies, which do not have rights of decision but rather are to present conclusions and recommendations to the appointing Council; decision over applications for associate membership and the right to decline membership to any person or organization, by a majority decision of the Executive Committee; preparation of the budget and payment of all expenses properly incurred according to the budget. All bank checks and other negotiable instruments, and all receipts for moneys paid to the Association, shall be signed, drawn, accepted, endorsed or otherwise executed, as the case may be, in such manner as the Executive Committee shall from time to time determine, provided that all checks shall be signed by not less than one staff member and one member of the Executive Committee; presentation of working and accounting reports to the General Assembly; cause minutes to be made of all meetings; decision on expulsion and/or suspension of members;

15 (i) (j) (k) (l) generally, to engage in those activities which further the goals of the IASP, and drawing up of its own order of business within the framework of the Constitution appoint members of the Election Committee; select locations of the global and regional meetings/congresses of the association from the nominations provided by the National Representatives. If good reason can be shown that the nominated locations would not be feasible the Executive Committee can substitute a location from their own selection. from time to time make rules for the conduct of association. The rules may regulate the following matters but are not restricted to them: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii) (viii) (ix) the admission of members of the association (including the admission of organisations to membership) and the rights and privileges of such members; the conduct of members of the association in relation to one another, and to the association s employees and volunteers; the setting aside of the whole or any part or parts of the association s premises at any particular time or times or for any particular purpose or purposes; the procedure at general meeting and meetings of the Executive Committee in so far as such procedure is not regulated by this constitution; the keeping and authenticating of records; generally, all such matters as are commonly the subject matter of the rules of an unincorporated association; the association in general meeting has the power to alter, add to or repeal a rule or rules.; the Executive Committee must adopt such means as they think sufficient to bring the rules and rules to the notice of members of the association; the rule or rules shall be binding on all members of the association. No rule or rules shall be inconsistent with, or shall affect or repeal anything contained in, this constitution. Section 11: The Executive Committee will meet at least once per year in a face-to-face gathering. The Executive Committee may maintain regular contact by telephone, fax, post mail, , or similar means. Upon request from onethird of the members of the Executive Committee, the President must call a meeting of the Executive committee or circulate a written notice.

16 Section 12: A quorum for a meeting of the Executive Committee shall constitute a minimum of two thirds the voting Executive Committee members. A quorum of Executive Committee members may not vote in the absence of the President, unless there has been a vote to conduct a written ballot of all Executive Committee members. While the President must be present for votes by the Executive Committee, the President will only cast a vote in the case of a tie vote. A resolution will be passed by the Executive Committee on a majority basis. Section 13: Section 14: Section 15: Section 16: Section 17: Section 18: The President shall chair Executive Committee meetings. If at any meeting the President is not present, the ranking Vice President will chair the meeting. The Executive Committee may delegate any of its powers to a sub-group consisting of one or more Executive Committee members. Any sub-group so formed shall conform to any regulations that may be imposed on it by the Executive Committee and shall report all acts and proceedings to the Executive Committee fully and promptly. Decisions and announcements of the Association must be signed by the President or relevant other member of the Executive Committee. A resolution in writing, signed by the majority of voting members of the Executive Committee, shall be as valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a meeting of the Executive Committee duly convened and held. A member of the Executive Committee shall not vote on any contract in which he/she has a financial or any other significant interest. If he/she does vote, the vote shall not be counted and the matter shall be referred to the Executive Committee for resolution. Every member of the Executive Committee or other officer of the Association shall be indemnified out of the assets of the Association against any liability incurred by him/her in that capacity in defending any proceedings, whether civil or criminal, in which judgment is given in his/her favour or in which he/she is acquitted or connection with any application in which relief is granted to him/her by the court from liability from negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to the affairs of the Association. ARTICLE 8: COUNCIL OF NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES 7 Section 1: Once every four years, regular and honorary members will elect one National Representative for their own country of residence. The vote for National 7 (amendment )

17 Representatives will be conducted by mail ballot under the supervision of the Election Committee and in accordance with Article 9, Section 3. The term of office for a National Representative will be four years. Terms will be staggered, so that in a given election National Representatives will be replaced for only half of the member countries. IASP members may be elected to two but never more than two, four-year terms as National Representative. The National Representatives as a group constitute the Council of National Representatives. Section 2: The Council of National Representatives shall elect two Chairpersons from among themselves at or in preparation for the Council meeting held at the Association s biennial Congress. One Chairperson is selected from countries in Zone 1 and one from countries in Zones 2, 3 and 4 (zoning determined using the World Bank development indicators). Each national representative can vote for both Chairpersons irrespective of which zone the country they represent falls under. The Chairpersons shall serve as ex-officio non-voting members of the Executive Committee. IASP members may be elected to two but never more than two, two-year terms as Chairperson of the Council of National Representatives. The Chairpersons will share their role between themselves, as determined by themselves and agreed to by the Executive Committee. The Chairpersons may appoint other national representatives (with their consensus), as delegates, to oversee or assist in specific aims or tasks that fall under the duties of the Council of National Representatives. This is carried out on an informal basis, as and when there is a need. The Chairpersons (together with their delegates when appointed) will constitute a working committee. The role of this working committee is to facilitate the duties of the National Representatives, including assisting and promoting Regional Congresses, Regional Workshops and World Suicide Prevention Day regional launches and to encourage, engage and involve the national representatives in the duties of the Council. Section 3: The proceedings of the general meetings of the Council of National Representatives, including the issuing of Notices, shall be regulated in the same way as the general meetings of the Association as set out in these Articles (Article 6), except that the quorum of the Council shall be one-third of its members. The Chairpersons will determine between themselves who will chair each meeting.

18 Section 4: (d) Votes shall be given personally, by postal votes or by proxy, whether on a show of hands and tally of postal votes or on a written ballot. Each national representative being entitled to one vote for him/herself and one additional vote for each verified instrument of proxy held. Votes shall be held under the same regulations as those of the general meetings of the Association (Article 6 Section 7). The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the member. A proxy must be an individual qualified to vote in his/her own stead as a national representative. This instrument appointing a proxy shall be deemed to confer authority to demand or join in demanding a written ballot and to the immediate written ballot itself. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be deposited at the Central Administration Office, not less than seven days before the time for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting, at which the person named in the instrument proposes to vote, or be deposited with a Chairperson, in person, not less than twelve hours prior to the time for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting, at which the person named in the instrument proposes to vote., and in default the instrument of proxy shall not be treated as valid. An instrument appointing a proxy shall be in the following form or a form as near thereto as circumstances admit. The International Association for Suicide Prevention I (insert name in clear print) of (insert home city and nationality), being a member of the above named Association, hereby appoint (insert name, home city, and nationality of first choice for proxy) or failing him/her (insert name, home city, and nationality of second choice for proxy) as my proxy to vote for me on my behalf at the Council of National Representatives meeting to be held on (insert the indicated day and date) and at any adjournment thereof. Signed this (insert date of signature, then add personal signature). Section 5: Upon a motion by more than one-third of the Council of National Representatives, or by one-half of the Executive Committee, an extraordinary session of the Council of National Representatives may be called. The results of a formal written ballot, initiated by the Executive Committee among the members of the Council of National Representatives, are to be considered equivalent to a decision of the Council of National Representatives.

19 Section 6: (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) Section 7: The duties of the Council of National Representatives shall be: to elect two Chairpersons of the Council of National Representatives; to approve the minutes of the last Council of National Representatives, as well as the reports of the President, the executive committee members and of any committees or task forces established. The report of committees and task forces will be presented to the Council of National Representatives by the Executive Committee, unless the Executive Committee chooses to delegate such a presentation to other persons to consider the motions of the Executive Committee and those motions which have been submitted by organizational members to the Central Office in advance of the meeting day; to nominate future sites for biennial IASP Congresses; to propose and recommend policy and guidelines for the Association; to propose and recommend tasks that need to be carried out by the Executive Committee; and to ratify the work of the Executive Committee. to promote and assist Regional Congresses, Regional Workshops and World Suicide Prevention Day regional launches. to promote membership in their respective countries and regions. The Council of National Representatives may appoint scientific, technical, and administrative committees. These committees do not have rights of decision but rather are to present conclusions and recommendations to the Council of National Representatives. Section 8: Criteria for selecting national representation are: 8 there shall be a minimum of three (3) members (ordinary (individual, organizational, student/volunteer), associate or honorary) for any country to be eligible to elect a National Representative; any ordinary member of the Association is eligible to become a National Representative; 8 amendment 15 September 2005

20 in the event that there are less than 3 members in any country or when there are no ballots submitted to elect a new national representative, the Executive Committee may appoint a National Representative from among the membership of that country. However where there is a number of neighboring countries with less than 3 members, the Executive Committee can instead appoint a group representative in place of national representatives for these countries. ARTICLE 9: ELECTION COMMITTEE AND ELECTIONS 9 Section 1: The Election Committee shall report to the executive committee. Its jurisdiction is limited to elections for Executive Committee positions, elections for National Representatives, and any votes to modify the Constitution. Election Committee members are selected from the membership by a majority vote of the Board taking into consideration, 1. the persons experience and knowledge of IASP over a period of time, 2. their regard, integrity and good reputation amongst the membership, and 3. their geographical location. The proposed Election Committee member must be willing not to stand for election or vote in an election. The term of an Election Committee member is as long as both the Executive Committee and the Election Committee member are willing and is addressed and agreed upon every two years before the round of elections begins. Section 2: To prepare for the biennial election for Executive Committee positions, the Election Committee shall instruct Central Administration Office, at least five months before the elections, to write to all members of the Association calling for nominations in writing. Each member may nominate a maximum of one candidate for President, one for General Secretary, one for Treasurer, and three for Vice President. To be counted, all nominees must be ordinary or honorary members in good standing, and must have attained the age of 18 years. Tallying of the nominations and compiling the list of nominees shall be the function of the Election Committee. The final election ballot will contain the names of up to three candidates for each contested office (i.e. up to three for President, up to three for General Secretary, up to three for Treasurer, and up to nine for three Vice Presidential positions). A short biography of all nominees will be published in Crisis and on the association s website. 9 (amendment )

21 (d) (e) (f) Those persons who receive the greatest number of nominations will be recommended for a place on the election ballot, but the Election Committee is also charged with ensuring that the three main constituencies (i.e. volunteers, health professionals, and academics) are represented if possible. No member of the Election Committee may be proposed as a candidate for the Executive Committee. Once approved, the Election Committee will ask those nominated whether they would be willing to accept the office if elected, then solicit a biography from those willing to run. After the willingness of all candidates has been confirmed, the Election Committee will mail the ballot to all regular, honorary, and organizational members. Distribution of the ballot is to take place no later than eight weeks before the beginning of the General Assembly. The election for Executive Committee will be conducted entirely by secret written ballot. Ordinary and honorary members will vote for one person for each office from the names provided on the election ballot. The ballot will contain instructions to vote for one of up to three Presidential candidates; one of up to three General Secretary candidates; one of up to three Treasurer candidates; and three of up to nine Vice Presidential candidates. Any vote for a name which does not appear on the election ballot will be disregarded, but votes for valid names on the same ballot will be counted. Elections for Executive Committee positions are determined by a simple vote count - the candidate receiving the most number of votes is the victor. The three candidates receiving the most votes amongst the nine Vice-Presidential candidates will be declared the victors, in order of vote count (i.e., the candidate receiving the most votes will be declared First Vice-President, etc.). In case of a tie vote, the winner will be decided by the principle of international representation. To be considered valid, the election results are to be examined and certified according to the rule which follows (Article 10, Section 2 (f)). If a candidate on the ballot withdraws from the election after the ballot has been printed, but before the outcome of the election has been announced, votes for that candidate will simply not be counted. There will be no further attempt to adjust the ballot or any delays in conduct of that election. In the election of the Executive Committee, if the results were to violate the principle of international representation as outlined below, a change in the final count of the written ballots on this point will occur as follows: (i) If two or more candidates elected to offices of the Executive Committee are from the same nation, the number of votes received by each of these individuals will be compared.

22 (ii) Only one member of a nation elected to any position on the Executive Committee will remain according to the following priorities: The Presidential candidate receiving the greatest number of votes shall have first priority to remain on the Executive Committee; The Executive Committee member elected to the Executive Committee who, when compared with other elected Executive Committee members of the same nationality, received the greatest number of votes, has next priority to remain on the Executive Committee. (iii) (iv) The chairpersons of the Council of National Representatives, who are non-voting ex-officio members of the Executive Committee, shall not be affected by Article 9 Section 2(f) and can take their position on the Executive Committee even if another member of the Executive Committee is from the same nation; and After a member of a given nation has been certified, all remaining members of the same nation are excluded from serving on the Executive Committee except those elected Chairpersons of the Council of National Representatives as stated above (Article 10, Section 2(f)(iii)). In their place will be substituted the candidate of another nation who received the next highest number of votes after the excluded member for the specified office in the stated election. In case of a tie vote for any of the offices of President, Secretary General, Treasurer, and Vice President, another ballot will be mailed to all voting members pitting the candidates with the same number of votes against each other. Section 3: Once every four years, ordinary and honorary members will elect one National Representative for their own country of residence (in accordance with Article 8 Sections 1 and 8). The elections for National Representatives will be conducted by mail ballot, by the Central Administration Office, under the supervision of the Election Committee and shall coincide with the biennial elections for the Executive Committee. To prepare for the election of National Representative positions, the Election Committee shall instruct Central Administration Office, at least eight months before the elections, to write to all members who reside in each nation where

23 in accordance with the criteria under Article 8 Section 8, a representative is due to be elected, calling for nominations in writing. Each member may nominate a maximum of one candidate and may only nominate a candidate for the nation in which they themselves reside. (d) (e) (f) Section 4 To be counted, all nominees must be ordinary or honorary members in good standing, and must have attained the age of 18 years. A list of members in good standing in each nation undergoing elections, will be provided by Central Administration Office. Tallying of the nominations and compiling the list of nominees shall be the function of the Election Committee. The final election ballot for each nation undergoing elections, will contain the names of all the nominees in good standing. No member of the Election Committee may be proposed as a candidate for National Representatives. Once approved, the Election Committee will ask those nominated whether they would be willing to accept the office if elected. After the willingness of all candidates has been confirmed, ballot papers will be drawn up for each nation undergoing elections and the Election Committee will instruct the Central Administration Office to mail the appropriate ballots to all ordinary and honorary members in good standing of each nation undergoing elections. Distribution of the ballot is to take place no later than three months before the beginning of the General Meeting of National Representatives. The election for National Representative will be conducted entirely by secret written ballot. Ordinary and honorary members in good standing and in their respective nations, will vote for one person from the names provided on the election ballot and may only vote for a person from the nation in which they themselves reside. Any vote for a name which does not appear on the election ballot will be disregarded. Elections for National Representative positions are determined by a simple vote count - the candidate receiving the most number of votes is the victor. In case of a tie vote, a second ballot will be issued to determine a winner. If the second ballot results in a tie vote, the winner will be chosen by the flip of a coin carried out by a member of the Election Committee. Every two years National Representatives will elect two Chairpersons of the Council of National Representatives in accordance with Article 8 Section 2, under the supervision of the Election Committee to coincide with the biennial General Meeting of the Council of National Representatives. To prepare for the election of National Representative positions, the Election Committee shall instruct Central Administration Office, at least three months before the General Meeting of the Council of National Representatives but